#RUDELY rejected! this is payback

[writingdumpster]

celebration

pairing: Mickey Garcia (Fanboy) x reader

warnings: alcohol, implied sex

summary: everyone in the dagger squad has tried to get your number, but the last lieutenant to approach ends up being the winner

word count: 1,275

Your friend had begged you to go to The Hard Deck with her. She told you it was a bar where Navy men and women frequented and it would be a good place for her to find a fling. She was just getting out of a relationship and needed to get back into dating. You reluctantly agreed to be her emotional support, but she’d been whisked away by some pilot within minutes of your arrival. You were left sitting alone at the bar being interrupted every few minutes by a different pilot or WSO introducing themselves to you with a callsign instead of a name. Another man approached. He sat down beside you and then turned his head to face you.

“I’m Mickey,” he said, as he held out his hand. You turned to look at him. You were tired of the introductions, but you didn’t want to be rude and you were pleasantly surprised at this lieutenant’s decision to tell you his name and not his callsign. When you looked at him you noticed that he was one of two in the large group that had not approached you that night. The other was a bespectacled man who you had noted didn’t talk much at all. You were mildly glad that this Mickey had come to talk to you. When you saw the table when you walked in, he had been the one you found most attractive. Quiet but smiley. Handsome but not arrogant. He stuck out among his friends.

“Are you and your friends doing a challenge to see which one of you gets rejected the fastest?” You asked. Mickey chuckled.

“Rooster said Hangman wouldn’t be able to get your number and when he couldn’t the rest of them had to try,” he said. “I actually wanted to apologize for all of us bothering you.” You were surprised. This man was being very honest with you.

“No need to be sorry,” you said.

“Can I buy you a drink on behalf of all of us?” He asked. You smiled.

“Only if you stay while I drink it,” you said. Mickey blushed a bit but smiled.

“I’d be honored,” he said. He got Penny’s attention and you told her your order. “What’s your name?” He asked.

“Y/N,” you told him.

“What’s your call sign? Or is Mickey your callsign? Is it like the mouse?” Mickey chuckled.

“No, Mickey is my real name. My callsign is Fanboy,” he said.

“Fanboy? Are you into K-Pop or something?” You joked. Mickey smiled.

“Star Wars,” he said. “I was wearing underwear with Chewbacca on them on my first day and now I’m Fanboy forever.” You laughed and Mickey grinned. He knew he wouldn’t be satisfied if he didn’t get to hear the sound of your laugh every day.

“At least it’s not ‘Coyote.’ That was the worst one,” you said. Mickey smiled.

“Coyote’s the worst? And which one of us has the best callsign?” He asked.

“Phoenix,” you said. “Fanboy is a close second though. Rooster doesn’t even make sense. Roosters can’t fly.” Mickey chuckled.

“Payback said the same thing when we met Rooster,” Mickey told you.

“You’ve known Payback longer than the others?” Mickey nodded.

“He’s my pilot. I’m a weapons systems officer,” he said. “We went through Top Gun training together,” he finished.

“You’re not training at Top Gun right now?” You asked.

“No, ma’am,” he said. Your cheeks warmed and you held in a smile. You hadn’t realized just how charming military men would be. “We just got back from a mission. We’re celebrating.”

“What was the mission?” You asked.

“Oh, I’m afraid that’s classified, ma’am,” Mickey said. His tone was light and teasing. You chuckled.

“A man of mystery,” you said as you took a sip of your drink.

“No mysteries. I’m an open book,” he said.

“Really?” You asked. You leaned forward as did Mickey, the two of you both proudly in one another’s personal space.

“Ask me anything.” You smirked.

“If your friends hadn’t been bothering me, would you still have come over here?” You asked. Mickey blushed but smiled.

“Probably not. I’m not the most confident when it comes to beautiful women,” he said.

“Hmm. I’m glad I endured all of your friends then,” you said. Mickey smiled.

“I am too,” he said.

“Were you flying one of the planes on your mission?” You asked.

“I don’t fly them, but I was in one of them,” he said.

“I’m sure I owe you a ‘thank you’ then. Whatever classified business you were doing has kept me safe,” you said.

“No ‘thanks’ necessary, ma’am,” he said.

“No?” You asked.

“No.” Mickey said as he shook his head. You reached forward and put your hand on his thigh.

“And what if I want to thank you anyway?” You whispered into his ear. His breath hitched.

“Let me go grab my jacket,” he said.

“I drove my friend here. I have to give her my car keys,” you said. Mickey headed back over to the pool table that the Dagger Squad had monopolized to grab his coat.

“Where’ve you been?” Hangman asked. “I thought you were going to get us another round.”

“I was talking to y/n,” Mickey said. Hangman and Rooster chuckled.

“Bob’s gotta go now. We all have to get rejected by her,” Coyote piped in.

“I couldn’t get her number. Did you really think you could?” Hangman mocked. Mickey smiled to himself.

“I didn’t try to get her number,” he said. Phoenix rolled her eyes.

“Right. That’s why you were over there for twenty minutes and came back without any drinks,” she said.

“I am taking her back to my place right now,” Mickey added casually as he grabbed his jacket. Hangman choked on the beer he was drinking. His eyes shot to Mickey.

“You’re bluffing,” Hangman said. Mickey glanced over his shoulder. You were standing at the end of the bar with your eyes on him.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” he said with a smile. He pulled his jacket on as he walked towards you. He rested his hand on your lower back as he led you out of the bar and towards his car. The whole dagger squad exchanged shocked looks as they watched their beloved Fanboy be the one to take you home.

Mickey dropped you off at your house the next morning. You kissed him shyly, but he quickly deepened the kiss, pulling you close to him. He promised to call you and bid you a goodbye, backing away to keep his eyes on you as you closed the door.

When he got back to his car he finally looked at his phone for the day. He was greeted with a myriad of text messages in the Dagger squad group chat from the night before.

Hangman : DID U DRUG HER FANBOY?

Rooster: Tell the truth

Payback: He must’ve paid her. He couldn’t get anyone during Top Gun training

Phoenix: it makes sense to me.

Hangman: TF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT PHOE?

Phoenix: she’s obviously not into muscly guys.

Coyote: LMAO

Rooster: That’s gotta be it

Hangman: It’s the only explanation.

10:36 AM

Fanboy: whatever she’s into, it wasn’t any of you

Rooster: Bragging isn’t classy

Fanboy: wasn’t bragging, just pointing out the truth.

Hangman: Whatever, she’ll never call you back.

Another text came in.

Y/N💕: last night was fun. wanna hang tonight?

Mickey: yes 🥰 come over at 7:00?

Mickey chuckled. He switched over to the Dagger Squad group chat.

Fanboy: maybe you’re right.

Fanboy: anyway, can’t come to the bar tonight. i have plans 😏

[tired-biscuit]

mean stepbro kiba is my absolute favorite and I want to see him feel rejected and insecure for once in his life! Need to see him get some sort of payback ie his hot friend showering reader with attention or reader studying for a big exam or certification for work so she is actively ignoring him and it bruises his ego but he won’t admit it because that’s embarrassing as fuck that he’s relying on you for anything

oh my god, he’d definitely blow up your phone with (kind of rude?) text messages and would get all into your space and would try basically ANYTHING to shift your attention back onto him! however, if you’d call him out for it, he’d pretend like he doesn’t have a clue what you’re talking about because did you really think that he cares about ‘a pathetic little thing like you’ so darn much?

on the other hand if you’ve already been kind of messing around with each other sexually, i do imagine that he’d actually push away his own greed for once and would try to nose his way between your legs while you’re studying just so that he can eat you out for ages.

i’m talking about these slow, almost mocking flicks of tongue that are accompanied with an occasional nip of teeth on your inner thigh, as well as soothing kisses to brush the pain away. just so that he can make you break and reach out to him first instead of he to you from how horny he somewhat forces you to be.

he also plants subtle — but visible — hickies if you’re planning on going out with someone. he holds you down when you try to escape him before he marks you, using his weight and size to his advantage. and then when you get pissed off and yell at him, he just says that you deseved it for whatever bullshit reason he tosses your way — but not because he’s jealous, no, no!

he’s actually a lot more insecure than meets the eye because he knows you can’t be together and that he can’t have you unless you defy your own family. so he’s trying to get you under his control as much as he’s able to, and for you to rely on him just like he secretly relies on you while you’re both still living under the same roof, so that even if you do leave and maybe get with another man, you’ll still come back to him.

when he’s alone, he’s borderline pathetic because of you. you go on a date and he doesn’t sleep well and loses his appetite because the thought of another guy touching you makes him sick to his stomach. he’s so in love with you and you make his hormones go batshit crazy and the whole thing is so messed up that it just makes him so fucking angry, you know? like, he looks at your face and gets pissed off from the way it makes his heart race. it’s the reason why he pours all his frustrations upon you as a result even though you haven’t done anything to stir him up; at least not on purpose!

by the way, i do actually think that he’d get into a fight with his friend under the pretense of ‘not my sister’… he makes it clear to his buddies that you’re untouchable, but what they don’t know is that that’s only because he wants to touch you first.

[strangertheories]

thanks for pointing out that nancy was a bit of a prick to robin at the beginning because i love ronance but i'm not a fan of the way people just gloss over that, unlike the common fanfic trope of robin rebuffing nancy for steve payback, nancy was actually canonically the one being sort of a dick at the start and robin picked up on those vibes enough to give her whole 'please don't reject me i know i'm annoying but i can't help it i'm trying not to be i don't want to annoy you' spiel.

Yeah, I'm a fan of Ronance and Nancy but I agree that way too many people gloss over Nancy being rude to her. Hell even I try to ignore it but that's mainly because I think it's bad writing of female characters (which I'll talk about in a second). Robin wasn't doing anything wrong to Nancy except from maybe be a little too talkative but she wasn't trying to be. After she went on her whole spiel to Nancy about her issues with social ques, that was the moment for Nancy to apologize but instead she continued talking in that passive aggressive way. I think this was weird writing to be honest.

The show has a weird habit of pitting girls against each other. In S2, Eleven shoved Max off of her skateboard and refused to shake her hand which was just rude because she was hanging out with Mike. Now we're seeing this again with Robin and Nancy. And in both cases, it's over a guy and they can only bond once it is confirmed they're not going to date that guy. It's something that really annoys me about the show to be honest. They can't think of any good ways to add drama or tension to female friendships beyond them fighting over guys which feels out of character for them, especially since Nancy wasn't even dating Steve.

I'm aware they've done this for male characters too, but it's more the fact that the show has only two female friendships and both of them started out with them disliking each other because of boy drama. S3 handled this quite well with Max and Eleven ignoring boys entirely but if Lucas wasn't Max's love interest then I don't know if it would've folded out the same way without her being a threat to their relationship.

It's also why I hope that if they make Byler canon, they don't make Eleven jealous or angry at Will. I think it would be nice for female characters to have drama and disagreements that aren't just because of boys. I hope if they do make it canon then Eleven is still good friends with them and they all hang out because I'm so sick of seeing bitter/jealous girlfriends on this show. The issue goes beyond Stranger Things but it's something that really stood out to me at the start of Eleven and Max's friendship and Ronance.

Thanks for the ask, anon (:

[beelzebubbutachef]

@myunmyuu the owner of the cute Mershrimp with Alice (my oc)

🎭 Small theater 🎭

Context: Alice is a player, who wake up one day as Elsa personification, hundred years before the game setting of twisted wonderland, they become a fifth element and immortal. Because of obsession of liking Lilia Vanrouge before they died, they courted and confess every winter season of valley of thorns to Lilia after they give the throne to their younger sibling and travel the world as the winter spirit/element. But after hundred of years of being rejected for fun as well amusement (they are fine being rejected) and the part where Lilia and Malleus enter NRC Alice faked being food poison and asleep for two years to enter NRC without background they use to have and dorm mate of Idia shroud. They don't want to be in the spot light or be in the site of game event and just idle in their room 24/7. So they don't know what Yuu the therapist of the other world look like.

...

Alice after yet another long day of hide and seek with certain Fae and company. Found themselves at the campus pool, where they though is vacant at this hour.

They heard a splashing sound of water, alarming them of the presence of someone else in the pool area.

"hi." They heard someone spoke, they stared at the direction of the voice and found a someone peeking out of the water/edge of the pool, since the stranger only peeking at them from the edge of the pool, they cannot see any other than feature than their somewhat pale skin and wide golden eyes that staring at Alice with full of curiosity.

"..." Alice enter a moment of silence before almost felt that they seen the cutest person totally forgetting that they claim that certain ancient fae is the cutest before. In the world.

"are you here to use the pool...? Do you want me to leave?"

"nononono. I'm hiding." Alice quickly says as they don't want to make the other person leave just because they are hiding in the area.

"hiding? Are you playing hide and seek with someone?" Somehow the person in the pool become interested on Alice's situation.

"yes, I'm playing hide and seek for almost two years. Aren't I cool?" Being proud of the mischief they decided on two years ago, the two people chatted for a while.

They chatted about school and how Alice only stared indoors and use their powers for a substitute student to go to school for her and only go to class for exams like today.

But when the person in the pool says that they actually from another world, Alice starts to sweat drop and dreadfully listen to the introduction of the other person.

"I'm Yuu, what about you?" Yuu says as they stood in the edge of the pool, Alice look at the skin that remind them of certain merfolks, they felt complicated on how this person introduce themselves as Yuu the otherworldly therapist yet a merman.

"it's Alice but... Aren't you... Non human like?????" Alice stared at Yuu shrimp tail and reddish skin tone.

"Ace accidentally created a potion that turn people to merman some time ago, it was fix but Floyd saw it and made a deal a certain prefect of his dorm for the same potion, after some blot accident Floyd said it's payback for the help." Yuu explained.

"wow." Somehow Alice want to slap themselves for not being updated on the game setting and what the prefect look like in person.

Since they don't want to be rude because of their own cowardly attics of not wanting to entangle with the cast of the game, they continue to chat with them since Yuu is someone who come from the almost same world they have once lived in.

They did stopped chatting when they heard certain leech siblings and first year group of troublemakers making way to the pool.

"sebek who did you say you saw?"

" I don't see the reason I should tackle this with you."

"then why are you tagging along with us?"

"I'm going in the same way!"

"shhhsss. Fine."

...

Alice stared one more time to Yuu and smiled. "It's nice meeting you, hopefully you won't tell others about our meeting. And good look on your future troubles.' With a wave Alice disappear leaving snowflakes that soon melt away.

[kinopioa]

Squid Abuse in Pre Movie Spongebob

Spongebob fans generally state that "any scene of Squidward being abused post movie is unfair and not due to karma, unlike S1-3". Post movie scenes of that sort are generally called "torture porn" or "Squid abuse"

Issue is, while the character has unrightfully suffered S4 on in many scenes, acting like there was none S1-3 is false; there was a lot. It was just more fun

Let's gauge scenes throughout them. This is just Season 1's

Season 2: https://www.tumblr.com/kinopioa/721449813793734656/unfair-squid-abuse-pre-movie-part-2?source=share

__

S1 ep1B: Reef Blower;

In this short ep, Spongebob is seen constantly trying to clean his front yard. After frustration with the reef blower he ends up cleaning it...only for Squidward's yard to be completely covered in sand. What did Squidward do to deserve this? Literally just kicked one small shell onto SB's yard. It's the equiv of a leaf, which makes this no longer "karma"

Abuse Gauge: Annoying, but minor

__

S1 Ep2A: Bubblestand;

The ep starts with SB making a stand loudly. Squidward asks him to quiet down, then finds SB selling bubble blowing. He finds the idea stupid and hermits to his clarinet playing, but SB's large bubbles end up invading his home. Now baffled/annoyed, Squidward asks how he managed to do that, with SB showing his process, calling it art. The first real negative thing, Squidward denies calling it art, which upsets SB and Patrick somehow. Squid then fails in his smugness to blow a bubble, which SB both notices and immediately profits off of with lessons (SB is a hustler, dang). Fed up, Squidward blows a large bubble, gets cocky, then hermits again. Only for the bubble to come back and lift his house

Abuse Gauge: Honestly unsure what to make of it. He was rude, but it pales to literally having his house lifted, not to mention SB's bubble bothering him was the only reason he went out later. Guess the moral is "Don't do something new, it'll bite you if you're confident about it"

__

S1 Ep3A: Jellyfishing;

After rejecting SB's invitation to Jellyfish (in a semi mocking way), Squidward ends up in an accident and is in a full body cast. Now unable to tell SB and Patrick to bug off, he effectively spends the rest of the ep tortured despite SB and Patrick's intentions (scalding hot soup, punctured arm, getting stung horribly by jellyfish)

What'd he do to deserve this? I guess being facetious for refusing is enough to be crippled. At least he got payback...with a tiny jellyfish chasing SB/Patrick while he's worse than before-man karma's unbalanced

Abuse Gauge: Extreme Bodily Harm

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S1 Ep5A: Pizza Delivery;

This episode is interesting in how Mr. Krabs contributes to making this happen, though in the end Squidward defends SB's honor. However the sheer amount of events that occur due to SB's inept driving and hyper vigilance for a delivery can't be ignored. Tornados, starvation, getting ran over, and then finding that the customer rejected the order is somewhat soul crushing. That said, because of the sappy ending it isn't truly Squid abuse, but the events that transpired are still noted

__

S1 Ep6B: Pickles;

Squidward plays a small role this ep, but on 2 occasions you have Bubble Bass randomly hurl Squidward. Squidward also has to fill in for SB, despite just being the cashier. Most he did was be snarky to 2 customers, one taking entirely too long for a simple request

Abuse Gauge: Minor

__

S1 Ep7B: Jellyfish Jam;

Squidward simply states how a wild animal shouldn't be indoors (and questions how one could have fun with a Jellyfish), only to end up dealing with Jellyfish partying at night keeping him up, then mass stinging

Abuse Gauge: Bodily Harm

__

S1 Ep8A: Sandy's Rocket;

This isn't even just Squidward, everyone got trapped on the moon cuz SB and Pat were idiots. Still, he (and others) did nothing to deserve that

Abuse Gauge: How do I get home?

__

S1 Ep9B: Opposite Day

Squidward actually deserves this, partially, with that scheme instead of telling SB directly to behave. But it all starts because SB/Pat invaded his house again, and later invading his house while he's away for Opposite Day shenanigans

Abuse Gauge: Status Quo

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S1 Ep11B: Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost;

After having SB and Pat mess around in his yard, then have his home invaded along with his wax statue being melted, Squidward has the idea of taking advantage of SB/Pat's naivette. Since he decided to go full tyrant instead of telling them to bug off, he was the one to break karma

As such, he deserves it

__

S1 Ep12B: Employee of the Month;

This is a case where Squidward falls for SB's insecurity enough to screw himself over, so most thinks he deserves this

However

-He just noted how Mr. Krabs was taking advantage of SB, only to get doused in meat, and break his foot when SB was being daft

-Is the one to have his home invaded because SB wanted to sabotage him

He loses the moment SB goads his ego, and both lose sleep and try to beat each other, both failing and wrecking the restaurant

Abuse Gauge: Mental

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S1 Ep14A: SB-129;

Despite telling SB he didn't want to (which Patrick immediately picks up on), SB repeatedly keeps asking Squidward to play. This drives the octopus to escape to the Krusty Krab, which accidentally gets him to reality warping time travel. At the end, he manages to get back home, only for SB and Pat to somehow know he was the one to invent Jellyfishing

Despite that making no sense

Abuse Gauge: Reality Warping

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S1 Ep15A: Sleepy Time;

SB somehow mind screws everyone's dreams. They aren't happy

Abuse Gauge: Well they're asleep

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S1 Ep16B: The Paper;

This is another bizarre case of SB being a catylist to Squidward's own destruction, forfeiting all his mortal possessions for paper. Only because SB was so adamant about hyping it, when Squidward just wanted to relax

Abuse Gauge: Mind f-

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S1 Ep19A: Fool's April;

This ep is funny. Squidward tells SB not to prank him, which he does agree, but then keeps dicking around so much throughout the day at work Squid snaps, then pranks SB hard. Everyone is mad at him even though SB was legit annoying everyone with the P.A speaker, and Squid ends up feeling guilty. He struggles with apologizing since it's SB, but then it's revealed that SB got everyone to gaslight Squidward into apologizing

Wow

Abuse Gauge: Gaslight Max

__

Notes;

-A lot of examples here have a sort of nuanced take where Squidward gets goaded into self destruction ("The Paper" and "Employee of the Month" are prime examples). Later seasons generally lean hard into having him be a jerk immediately, or is just inconvenienced for little to no reason

-Jellyfishing being extremely abusive was concieved all the way in early 1997 for the series' production bible, initially having a worse ending for Squidward

[comfortscripts]

Bit of Help Would Be Nice ¬ Sirius B.

Plot - He is an entitled prick. Sirius is rude and inappropriate. Sirius Black is jealous

Genre - Fluff

Pairing - Sirius Black x fem!reader

Notes/Warnings - Mentions of catcalls and shagging. Just a banter filled fluff of jealous Sirius + mutual pining + mutual denying. This is my final piece for the Harry Potter Writing Event by @draconisxcaput and I have loved every second so thank Amanda!!

Word Count - 1.5k

Sirius Black was a menace.

Always flaunting his popularity, taunting students with his tasteless pranks and stringing along hoards of witches and wizards. Acting all high and mighty but in all actuality, Sirius Black was a pain in the arse. But that never stopped your heart from yearning, much to the dismay of your head.

Constantly bugging you from that first day in the common room, tugging at your robes and muttering jokes whilst you tried to listen to the Head Boy’s warnings. Throughout the years, Sirius seemed to hold a special place for you in his heart, but from the looks of it, annoying you was his only intention.

It wasn’t often that you got roped into the pureblood’s detention, but today was just not going your way.

“So, fancy going to Hogmeade with me this weekend?”

That snotty stuck-up Slytherin had been pestering you since the half term, attempting to seduce you as Lily claimed. It wasn’t that he was bad looking, quite the opposite actually, he was a perfectly handsome wizard. But Niklaus Nott happened to be the most dull man to ever make your acquaintance.

“Nott, I’ve told you a million times, no. I’m just not interested in you that way”

Unfamiliar with rejection, Niklaus shuffled closer down the bench as his signet ring-clad hand rested on top of yours. The chill that ran through your body was sickening, but his touch was soon gone with the exaggerated laugh of a certain Marauder.

Neatly placed blonde curls fading into a gaudy maroon with glittering streaks of gold, the perfect Gryffindor colours; otherwise known as a Slytherin’s worst nightmare. Hands flying to his head as Niklaus stupidly attempts to shake the hex away.

You held the laugh back at his flustered movements, finding the situation amusing until eyes locked with those glinting storms that plagued your mind. Sirius Black, wand in hand, watched on from his seat amongst the Marauders barely metres away.

As he countered the joke-spell, returning those tousled curls to their usual bronze-like tones, his gaze turned to his apparent attacker “Really, Black? If you were worried about me shagging your girl then don’t worry, you can have her afterwards.”

Raising dangerously quick from his seat, jaw clenched as his wand rose to meet Niklaus’ eyeline. “What the fuck did you just say?”

Stepping away from your seat, wand ready to intercept the idiots from a potentially messy squabble. “Excuse me! I’m not anyone’s girl.”

Flicking your gaze to meet Niklaus’ slimy green orbs, “You need to take a fucking hint and leave me alone”

Turning on your heel, barely inches away from the Black boy’s face. “And you. I don’t know what your issue is, but I can fight my own battles.”

Leaving a pair of speechless boys, manoeuvring back to sit once again on that hardwood bench. Before the awful sound of that disrespectful shout filled the Great Hall, stopping you dead.

“Hey babes. How about letting me take you out?”

Without thought, you spun round to hex that Lion-pride prat, not knowing that there was already a hex heading towards him. A hex that fired from the wand of the man you just told off; luckily, he never listened.

Hexes hitting the rude Gryffindor at once, sending hives through his body as he begun to cry pathetically. Laughter bouncing off the walls at his payback, all students giggling and shouting jeers of ‘that’s what you get’.

“Black, Y/L/N” Silence ringing through the hall with all eyes turning to a very unhappy McGonagall. “My office. Now.”

▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫▪▫

Boxes of dusty pages littering the floor, the intimidating cupboard taunting you as you rummaged through the hoards of papers in an attempt to make your detention as painless as possible.

“Bit of help would be nice”

The huffed words left your lips with an irritated look sculpted into your features, all directed at the cocky marauder who was twiddling his thumbs whilst watching you work. Even when he was being an annoying, lazy, inconsiderate arse, he still looked undeniably good, and you hated it.

“You know, we wouldn’t even be in this stupid place had you not stepped in.” Standing as you dusted the speckles off your skirt, turning with crossed arms to face him. “And for what? Just because Sirius Black can’t handle someone else having my attention? No, the almighty Sirius wants to be the only guy who could tease me. Now here we are and it’s your fault!”

“My fault?”

The usual playful atmosphere that surrounded the dark-haired wizard was sucked away and replaced with an angry disbelief. His figure grew as he stood from the desk, so slowly that you couldn’t help but admire the contour of his exposed forearms.

“It’s not my fault that you decided to get all friendly with a snake.”

Your lips parted to defend yourself, but as he stalked forward, you felt your throat go dry in anticipation. Each step rang through the empty classroom.

“It’s not my fault that you make my brain go hazy and heart beat out of my chest.”

Determination held in every step as his eyes swirled with a thousand emotions, each causing your heart to beat a little faster. Head screaming at your heart for ever yearning for him, and begging your emotions to focus on anger.

“It’s not my fault that you make me want to punch any guy that even looks at you.”

Eyes widening at his confession, breath hitching in your throat as he steps closer once more. Chest to chest, eyes locked with his as you wait patiently for his final words, hearting pounding in possibility of his jealously meaning more.

“It’s not my fault that you made me fall in love with you”

The world slowed as those words tumbled from his lips, landing on your heart and fuelling the fire that had burned in secret throughout the years. Sirius’ conflicted eyes searching yours for any hint of acceptance behind that glossy still display.

‘Love. Love. Love. He is in love with you. Sirius Black is in love with you. Sirius is in love with you too. Oh god, you are in love with him.’ Thoughts shattering through your brain as the butterflies flood your stomach, entire body going through a rampage of emotions before settling on the cure.

Throwing your arms around his shoulder, pulling him closer as your lips collide with his tobacco-stained ones. Channelling every feeling you’ve locked away for the previous years, allowing Sirius to see that side of yourself that was always hidden with barbed jokes and timed insults. You showed him your heart, and he adored every inch.

Melting into the kiss as his hands tug at your hips, leaving you pressed against his chest as the pair of heartbeats beat with a joyful tempo. Fingertips inching closer to grip strands of his luscious hair, whilst he tries to engrave this moment into his mind forever. Sirius would never understand how it took him this long to kiss you, because this was heaven.

Staggered breaths escaped from both your lips, attempting to regain control of your wild hearts and hazy minds. Still connected by touch, holding on as if it were a dream that would disappear within moments, but alas, Sirius held on tightly for minutes to come.

“I love you too Sirius. Actually, I’ve loved you for years and you’ve just now caught up.”

The vibrations of his laugh tickled your skin and made your soul smile as you watched the sculpted face contorted with wrinkles of laugh. “Just now caught up? Excuse me, I’ve been dreaming about you since 4th year, so if anything, you’re the slow one darling”

“Wait, is that why you ruined my date with that Hufflepuff, Matthew, back in 5th year?”

The only response was a curt nod and a mischievous smirk, followed by him tightening his grip around your waist. Holding back the giggles as you realised all his pranks over the years, all his jabs and flirts, all concocted to keep your attention on him and away from other wizards.

“Are you telling me, that Sirius Black, the pretty boy of Hogwarts, was jealous for the past 3 years?”

A gentle blush framed his cheeks as that smirk fell with a replacement of an embarrassed grin; you had figured him out. Scoffing to dissipate the humiliation he felt as you watched with a beaming smile, the same smile he admired from afar for countless months.

“Yes, but that’s only because you are so annoyingly beautiful and oblivious. So just shut up and kiss me again.”

Bringing your lips to meet again, and the pair both knew that they would not be hiding their hearts behind banter anymore.

Taglist - @cool-daddysbabygirl @yogirl-willow @messers-moony-lupin @silverose365 @fairycirclebrat @ildm4ev @carmellasworld @comfort-reads @fairydxll @bite-me-you-fiend @euyiana @d22malfoys @scandalous-chaos

[marcilled]

Okay, no joke, I want an animal crossing game where the villagers are rude as hell to you.

Yeah yeah, I know, the original gamecube game- I've played it. But I'm not talking about making animal crossing "the way it used to be" out of nostalgia, either. I mean I want an AC game- or a game inspired by AC- that acts as a sort of... rejection of some of the core tenets of animal crossing: new horizons.

At the surface level, New Horizons seemed like the perfect animal crossing game, at least it did when I watched the nintendo direct footage of it when it was first announced. All the QoL features I'd been wanting for ages, and with a lot of new options for customizing your town island. Great!

Now that the game has been out more than a year, there's definitely a lot of players who will tell you it's a "meh" entry into the animal crossing series. It's not terrible, but it falls short of a lot of things that made new leaf so enjoyable (and other games before it). But, as much as I could complain about what I don't like about New Horizons, that's not what this post is about- it's merely what gave me the perspective to really think about this...

New Horizons is sort of this game that fulfills an idyllic fantasy of an uninhabited island that you come to and decorate & reshape to your will. The villagers who move in are more like talking dolls than people with thoughts or opinions, and they'll do just about anything you tell them to without much of a gripe. It's a place where everyone and everything is happy, and you can just sit back and relax and enjoy your island just the way you built it.

To a lot of people reading this, that sounds great! It's a form of escape from the toils of the real world. And I agree, it's nice to have some sort of reprieve from this capitalist hellscape... But, animal crossing just isn't doing it for me these days.

For one thing, I don't like how disconnected it feels. The villagers have some fun/silly dialogue, sure, but the way they never have any concrete struggles, beyond like, a tummy ache... it just makes it all feel a bit hollow. And the way they won't even protest to you trying to redecorate their house, change what they wear, or even tell them to move someplace else entirely! It really adds to this feeling that these aren't real critters with real lives or hopes or dreams.

To some, that's OK, because it's all just a videogame anyway. But... I don't know. I just feel sort of wrong indulging in this fantasy where I found this "uninhabited" island and claimed it as my own, then tore up the rivers and cliffs and reshaped them how I liked. Where I can just tell my villager, hey, you need to move to the other side of the island because I want to make a garbage dump where your house is. And they're like, ok, sounds great! It just makes it all feel very dull and uninteresting to me.

Now, the type of game I'm asking for here- I'm not asking for some edgy animal crossing game where tom nook has to protect his nephews from redd with a gun in his hands and isabelle has depression and tortimer dies. Really, I just... want a game where this idea of the idyllic fantasy town where everyone is happy and does whatever you want is rejected outright. Like, no, actually, you can't just burst into my house uninvited, go away you idiot neighbor. No I'm not going to move my house I like the view of the rest of town from here. No you can't get me to change my outfit, I barely know you!!! And just because you handed me a fruit every day doesn't mean we're best friends!!! Just... Something, you know?

I guess maybe I just want to play stardew valley? is stardew valley like this??? I don't know. I've been playing animal crossing since I was like, 8 years old, and I'm bored of the formula. I just want a villager to call me a moron and hit me with a net or something. Payback for all the times i hit them with nets as a kid, you know.

[7soulstars]

Hello ☁️ Can I request a Sherlock x deaf reader who is very shy and self concious? you're an amazing writer!

 Omg thank you for requesting darling! I had a lot of fun researching this but it was quite a challenge ! I wasn’t sure if you wanted a fic or an hc so I decided to do a hc ! I hope you like this !

Sherlock with a Deaf S/O

- Now it is not new to everyone that Sherlock doesn’t do feelings.

- BULLSHIT

- WHO THE FUCK EXPLAINS HOW HE SOLVES A MURDER VERBALLY AND THEN IN SUPER FAST SIGN LANGUAGE SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND TOO ?

- He knew sign language, he had learnt it for a case years before meeting you.

- You kind of saved him from getting strangled by a murderer by knocking him out with a fire extinguisher the first time you two met at a library where he followed the murderous man.

- Why were you there ? Well it is a good place for an introvert to hang out. You were studying a bit of something related to your profession when that happened.

- John, Greg and his divsion had followed in a few mintues later .

- “Sherlock!” *looks at you who is staring down out the fainted body in absolute terror* “Thank you for helping him !”

- But you didn’t hear him, you chose not to wear your hearing aid that day either.

- “She’s deaf Gavin stop embarrasing yourself ! Really are you that stupid? ”

- You never thought you would see him after that but fate had it’s own gameplay.

- Next time you met him and John was when he scared off a creepy man following you.

- “Just a payback for last time”, he had signed looking at any direction but yours.

- You just stood their silently. You were too shy to talk so you decided you should take your leave from the undoubtedly handsome detective with a squeaky little goodbye.

- But he stopped you by saying that he needed help with a case related to your profession.

- He lied.

- He spent the entire night bothering Greg and Mycroft to find him a case involving you profession.

- Soon enough every single person who Sherlock was always around had to learn sign language even though you assured Sherlock you knew how to lip read.

- Sherlock speaks too fast so he always has to sign for you.

- You feel bad because you think it’s bothersome but your boyfriend doesn’t think so.

- “It’s quite entertaining keeps me alert and on my toes”

- Explains how he solved a case to you in rapid sign language because we all know that little shit will be all smug about it.

- Unspoken habit of not shooting while you’re at 221B because the vibrations startle you a lot.

- You are highly insecure and he read that out the moment he saw you but he doesn’t know the cause.

- So he asks. ( And has John by his side to whack some sense into him incase he blurts something rude)

- By the time you had finishing the duo had the biggest frowns on their faces

- The fact that you were rejected by regular schools for being disabled and were not accepted at a school for people like you for not fitting into the stereotype pissed Sherlock off.

- The fact that you underestimated yourself annoyed him even more.

- You are highly intelligent and Sherlock knew that very well, but your self conciousness always came in the way.

- He starts giving you little affirmations all the time.😭

- You often refuse to wear your hearing aids because they’re a bit uncomfortable but Sherlock insists you to wear them whenever he drags you out on a case.

- “Not everyonee is as smart as us darling”

- He doesn’t smoke anymore. Whenever he has a bad day he just gets home and stares at you.

- *stares* 

- ”Need a hug ?”

- *wordlessly falls into your lap as you skim through his curls*

- Once did the same when you had a REALLY bad day and when you were extremely insecure.

- “You do this for me all the time you look like you need one today...”

- You cried in his arms and he said nothing. Just held you tighter because that’s what you needed the most.🥺

- IRENE WHO ? He figured out you felt like she was better for him than you and the man blocked the woman’s number and told her to not contact him again in the most polite way possible

- You’re the only one who can handle his childish tantrums when even John can’t.

- “You are MY GIRLFRIEND don’t side them !”

- “YOU ALMOST POISIONED MYCROFT !”

- “It was an ExPeRiMeNt Y/N !”

- You being the only one who is allowed to stay in the room while he is in his mind palace.😤

- “Anderson get lost, Y/N where are you going? Stay here”

- MUMMY AND DADDY HOLMES ADORE YOU !

- “Sherlock really loves you darling I just know it !”

- ”MUMMY !”

-”You better marry her”

- He makes you feel like the most important person in the room in the most subtle ways.

- Even his rivals know that you are a line they willl never dare cross because nobody touches Sherlock Holmes’ girlfriend or they will pay in unimaginable terms.

- Even though he would never dare to tell you, William Sherlock Scott Holmes was awfully and dreadfully in love with the local shy and deaf girl and the entire world knows of this.

Part 2

*Stops typing and wallows in self embarrassment because I think it's not perfect enough for my perfect readers*

Sherlock: it may be shitty but you tried

Me*nodding*: I tried😔

Moriarty: well, all you can do is pray that they like it.....

Me:*cries*

But in all seriousness I FINALLY finished this piece after battling with my writer's block. I know this is not at all accurate and that brings me to an important point. I research a lot for this hc but I was disappointed that there was rarely any information on deafness and experiences of people with disabilities and problems faced by them. What does that mean?

WE NEED MORE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT ABILITIES AND AWARENESS ABOUT IT ON MASS MEDIA AND THATS ON PERIODT. WE NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND THIS IS IMPORTANT.

Again I really really really tried my best and I really hope you all like it. In case of any mistakes I've made or if I have written anything offensive or triggering please tell me in the comments so that I can make immediate corrections. Please like and reblog my work if you like it to support me. Comments and constructive criticism is always appreciated. Please do not plagarize my work I really work hard on it! I have 4 fics to be completed but I promise to finish it soon. Thank you guys for being patient. 

~Love Hri! 😘

[arhvste]

hello!! congrats on 900+ 💖💖💖 for the event, would it be okay to ask for atsumu for prompt #5 or #30? (your pick, i can't choose between the two 😂)

thank you! i hope you're staying safe, pls take care 💖

haha thank u bb !! ✨

❛dont be stupid you know i love you ❜

“stupid pigs.”

atsumu huffed as you listened to him complain about his performance in his last game.

“i know we won but that’s not the point! how many times do i have to tell the annoying girls to shut their damn mouths while i’m servin?!”

you rolled your eyes at your childhood friends whining.

“they’re just showing you support the least you can do is be a little appreciative.”

“just whos side are ya on?!”

“samu’s.”

atsumu scoffed and threw himself back on your bed where you were propped up on your phone dividing your attention between whatever was occupying your screen and his complaining.

he watched the way your eyes narrowed while you read something from your screen, the bite of the corner of your lip when something really caught your attention, the furrow in your eyebrows when you were confused. atsumu knew you like the back of his hand by now.

you’d been friends with the twins for as long as you could remember. growing up with the boisterous atsumu and laid back osamu, you got the best of both worlds as osamu would tease his brother and then atsumu would demand you take his side.

as time went on, atsumu had naturally gravitated closest to you as you brought him back down when he needed it. you were his anchor he’d like to say. you were still great friends with osamu too but he didn’t rely on you as much as atsumu did so the artificial blonde dominated most of your attention between the two of them.

the girls are school were beyond envious of your bond with the twins. they were practically untouchable but you had the power to talk and approach them whenever you felt and they would never turn you away, always accepting your conversation with warm smiles and laughter. they even went out of their own ways to talk to you and eat lunch with you occasionally which drove fangirls livid. atsumu liked the fact you didn’t care about them though. you didn’t think twice about the jealous stares or bitter comments thrown your way. who were they to tell you who you could and couldnt be friends with? he liked your headstrong attitude and was proud of you for it.

“i just want one match where things go my way is that that too much to ask?” he whined as you tore your eyes away from your device momentarily.

“god you’re so insatiable.”

“am i not allowed to be?” his eyebrow quirked.

“not when you’re whining and bitching my ear off.”

that comment earned you a pillow to the face. atsumu couldnt contain his laughter as he watched your phone drop to the floor and your shocked face try to process the fact you’d just been hit.

“you’re such a pain!” you scoffed grabbing another pillow and launching it in his direction.

“silly, silly girl, playin like this with a startin player on the volleyball team.” he smirked as he caught the pillow you threw with ease.

he tossed it back to you resulting in a hit to your arm. you scowled and crawled on top of the bed and grabbed his wrists. your own hands barely able to wrap around his wrists.

“oh my god just go down would you?!”

“not when yer askin so rudely darlin!”

the nickname caught you off guard and he took advantage of this and pushed his weight down so you were flat on the bed and he had you pinned down.

you struggled under his hold and fidgeted underneath him. “let me go!” you demenaded several times much too atsumu’s amusement.

“nah don’t feel like it.” he watched your body tense up and try to escape his firm grip.

he looked down at your scowling face and a smirk tugged at his lips. atsumu had always thought you were pretty, or rather quite beautiful in fact. he had always had some sort of attraction towards you but disregarded it for a flimsy crush that he was sure would eventually fade. in fact, he was so sure it was going to fade he left it alone for 4 years insisting the feeling would leave on its own. he hadn’t realised that his harboured feelings had only grown and developed as time went on and more time was spent by your side.

“take a picture, it’ll last longer.” you hissed from beneath him feeling uncomfortable under his intense stare.

“why do i need a picture when i can keep ya here for as long as i want to?” he shot back as a fustrated huff left your lips.

“sorry i thought you didn’t like girls, i thought your opinion on girls is that they’re all ‘pigs’ and ‘annoying” you mocked. “so why keep one struggling under you or are you just trying to get on my nerves?”

“yer not just like the other girls though.” he replied as your struggling slowed down.

“oh wow miya atsumu sees me as something more than a girl! i’m so privileged he doesn’t hate me and think i’m a pig like every other one!” you mocked him once more as his grip loosened slightly.

“of course i don’t think yer like one of the pig girls! don’t be stupid ya know i love you, why would i treat ya like the other girls if i felt otherwise?”

finally, after over 4 years of letting his feelings brew inside of him, atsumu had just admitted out loud what he’d been meaning to say for quite some time now. he didn’t feel embarrassed nor did he regret what he said. he felt relieved if anything. a weight he didn’t even know he was carrying was lifted off his shoulders.

“a-atsumu? what?” your voice laced with disbelief as the setter finally let you go and flopped down on the bed next to you.

“i love you.” he stated again, words firm with assurance.

you were shocked to say the least. it wasn’t a bad shock no, but you were surprised that he’d admit to such a thing like love. the atsumu you knew didn’t like girls and thought of them as a nusence with the exception of you, but you always just assumed that was because you’d known him for so long.

“atsumu...”

“ya don’t have to say it back i just thought i should tell ya that’s all.” panic slowly leaked his system. he was glad he’d finally confessed but why we weren’t you saying anything back? maybe he should’ve kept his mouth shut after all.

“i-its not that it’s just... you’re the last person i would’ve expected that from.” the two of you lay next to each other neither pairs of eyes daring to look anywhere but the ceiling.

“yeah? well what can i say? i just love surprising ya.”

“yeah no shit, you can’t just spring that on someone and not expect them to be shocked.” your hand instinctively inching towards his.

“yeah i know, just thought i might as well tell ya.” his voice soft spoken as his nerves began to calm.

the silence almost deafening as you pieced your next words together and atsumu laid in anticipation waiting for your polite rejection.

“well i might as well tell you too... i think i love you.”

his eyes widened as he shot himself up.

“you think?”

“i think.” you mused eyes closed refusing to fluster yourself by catching his eyes.

“i just... i’ve never been in love with anyone, my whole life has been you and samu, i’ve never felt what i think are romantic feelings for anyone else.”

“you feel romantic things for me and samu?” disbelief and confusion mixed within his tone.

“no stupid, i see samu as a brother figure and i thought i saw you as that too, that impression of you left maybe 3 years ago though and i saw you as something other than a brother.”

“what did ya see me as?” his quiet voice filling the room.

your eyes opened and you were met with atsumu’s gleaming ones. his eyes searching for the answers you were yet to voice.

“as someone i could fall in love with if that’s what fate had for us.”

“god y/n, ya didn’t have to keep me on edge the whole time!” he sighed in relief as his arm wrapped around your frame.

“sorry, it’s amusing seeing you suffer though, and it’s payback for the pillow to the face earlier.”

he leaned up and pressed a warm kiss to your forehead, another to your nose and a final one to your cheek.

“forgiven?”

“i think i could do with some more convincing...”

a wide smile spread across atsumu’s face. now he had all the time in the world to convince you to forgive him as well as experience so many new things with you as you both stepped hand in hand into the untouched territory of unexperienced feelings, but you were doing it together and atsumu would’ve had it no other way.

aislas 900 event

[evertidings]

Will Blane act differently to hunter being rude if the hunter usually is nice to him/we picked a lot of the nice choices before? Since you said the characters remember the previous choices of the hunter? Because personally I think that would be such a nice opportunity to amp up the angst of a nice hunter x blane route if the hunter becomes fed up with blane exactly when blane realizes he is crushing on the hunter. I love happy endings but I love payback even more 😇

honestly i think this is a little more cruel than just angst but regardless of that, i don’t think i’ll do this just because of how i’ve laid the books out. you choose you romance route around three quarters of the way through book one. book two is that mutual pining stage and book three is a relationship.

the way you describe rejecting Blane wouldn’t make any sense with this timeline since you’d have to be on their path to do so. there just simply isn’t enough time to reject them and then romance them later with only three books. plus Blane doesn’t understand their feelings for the hunter so they wouldn’t recognize that they’re crushing until you’re literally making out.

hope this helps <3

[liunaticfringe]

By Scott Moore April 25, 1999 

 At first blush, Lucy Liu seems to have little in common with the character she plays on "Ally McBeal."

Unlike the assertive Ling -- soft L, soft G -- she doesn't growl. Neither is she sarcastic, rude or abrupt.

Rather, it's with enthusiasm, courtesy and a bit of a giggle -- traits Ling Woo would never permit -- that Liu explains the hardships of portraying this very litigious woman each week on Fox's "Ally McBeal" (Monday at 9 on Fox).

"I can barely keep a straight face most of the time in the scenes," she said.

The insulting Ling Woo has little time for emotion -- or so viewers first thought. After the death of a young boy, the character kept up the persona by declaring: "We knew he was dying, Ally. This isn't the world's biggest shock. The boy had leukemia. Get over it."

The true shock came moments later, when Ling was seen crying outside the hospital parking lot -- and later still when she apparently arranged for a blimp to convey a comforting sign to Ally.

The turn of events "are just as surprising to me as to the audience," Liu said.

The actress has had quite a ride since being introduced in the second week of the season as the ill-tempered friend of icy attorney Nelle Porter, played by Portia de Rossi. A potential cash cow for the law firm and a romantic target for perpetually excited senior partner Richard Fish, Ling instantly drew the scorn of the rest of the firm and the attention of a large fan base, helping move the series into the Top 20 in the weekly ratings.

The turn of events, like each week's story line, has been a pleasant surprise to Liu, who was rejected last year while auditioning for the role of Nelle.

"They said they'd think about me in the future," Liu said. "But I was the only person of color there at all," of the half-dozen actresses applying for the part.

However, a few days later, she was cast for a role that writer-producer David E. Kelley created for her. Further, color doesn't seem to have any detriment on Kelley's offbeat comedy, where interracial relationships are commonplace.

If anything, Liu's Chinese heritage works to her advantage. Kelley has used her ability to speak Mandarin in a couple of story lines -- Ling inadvertently instructed waiters to cook John Cage's pet frog Stephan ("Tastes like chicken") and addressed a jury with nonsensical phrases that Liu's mother helped her construct. ("It doesn't matter what I say here," said the subtitles, "because none of you speak Chinese. But you can see from my sad face . . . I'm sympathetic.").

As a result, Ling Woo has evolved from an Asian stereotype -- that of Dragon Lady or sexual object -- to a multi-dimensional character. In addition to the show of emotion, Ling recently was revealed to have a law degree and joined the firm.

Still, Liu's character certainly has draconian elements. Her appearance on screen is often accompanied by glares or "The Wizard of Oz's" Wicked Witch of the West theme. And Ling's creative foreplay-but-no-play romance with Fish has gained Liu a growing fan base and several job offers.

"I knew she was well-rounded from the beginning," Liu said. "There's friction, and she's blunt and honest, but I always knew she was a sympathetic character."

Sympathetic? Ling yelled at a man in a wheelchair to watch where he was going. ("It's bad enough you people get all the parking places.") She declares that "men are horny toads." She has sued a radio shock jock for contributing to sexual harassment and a nurse of a plastic surgeon for having natural breasts.

Ling would interrupt here to ask, "Do you have a point?" Liu only laughs.

"I have to study her a great deal so she can shoot them out," Liu said of her character's audacity. "She doesn't hesitate when she talks or after she talks. If I know the lines, I can be more secure when I try to express her.

"She's a very clear-minded, blunt person. She's not disciplined, so I need to discipline myself, so she doesn't get lost or muddled."

Liu, born in New York City's Queens in the 1960s (she doesn't reveal her age), began acting while majoring in Asian languages and cultures at the University of Michigan. She played the lead in "Alice in Wonderland."

She had recurring roles on "ER," "High Incident" and "Coach," and guest spots on "NYPD Blue," "L.A. Law," "Michael Hayes" and "The X-Files." She also had a regular role as a brainy student in the short-lived Rhea Perlman comedy "Pearl."

And after playing a former girlfriend in "Jerry Maguire" and a hooker in "Bang," she made a mark this year with her portrayal of a brutal dominatrix in the Mel Gibson action-thriller "Payback." Liu also appears in "True Crime" with Clint Eastwood, "Molly" with Elizabeth Shue, and the "Austin Powers" sequel, "The Spy Who Shagged Me." And she was just cast in Ron Shelton's "Play It to the Bone."

"I've come to terms with things the last few years, so I can appreciate things as they're happening," she said.

Her favorite part of playing Ling, she said, are the romantic scenes with Fish (played by Greg Germann, a fellow accordion player).

"They're a real challenge for me, because my roles before didn't involve sexuality," said Liu. "I think, Oh, I can't do that. But, hey, I'm a woman, why not find some sensuality in that? When you discover yourself and allow yourself to be sexual, it's a really liberating feeling."

In fact, Liu says Fish is the character to whom she is most drawn: "I'm attracted to humor. Laughter is the most important thing in the world -- it takes 10 years off your age."

So, Liu is able to laugh off criticism from those who try to attach stereotypical labels to her character. "Chill out, take a pill or don't watch the show," she said.

The line could have been Ling's, except it was accompanied by a giggle.

CAPTION: Lucy Liu: "I can barely keep a straight face most of the time in the scenes."

CAPTION: LUCY LIU

[mcheang]

Lila Salt Lila tries to lie to Luka to impress him he just shrugs not really interested and rejects her she snaps and tries to get him kicked out of Kitty Section when ask why she would do this he didn't do anything Lila snaps at him for rejecting her and now he'll pay Alya records updates it on her blog and let's say Karma's gonna come collect Lila's debt

Sore reject

Post-Miracle Queen

It pained Lila to have to obey Gabriel on his new edict to leave Kagami be, but to be honest, Adrien hated her. She got what she wanted from Gabriel: stardom. Best not to rock the boat.

Speaking of boats, Lila was currently on Juleka’s family boat. The band was going to start shooting their first music video. Alya was doing the camera work. Lila was just there for support with Mylene.

Marinette sadly couldn’t make it because she was currently shopping at some Chinese herbal store for her Mother (potion ingredients)

While the band set up, Lila skipped the grunt work in favour of a self-guided tour.

Ugh. Everything here is so cluttered, it’s practically a pigsty. On the upside, Lila can easily trip and sprain her ankle.

As Lila headed downstairs, she heard the fine tuning of a guitar. Entering a double bedroom, she saw the guitarist.

Woah. If Adrien was droolworthy, this boy was the manifestation of cool.

Blue hair graced the handsome cheekbones of the stranger. He was tall and slender, dressed in laidback style.

Lila just found her new Adrien. Imagine if she dated a guitarist? How awesome would that be? She knew girls who would be envious that she had a musical Boyfriend. And he’s older too, bonus! To get the interest of a senior boosts Lila’s own attractive level by curiosity.

Time to turn on the charm. Lila plasters on a friendly smile and leans in.

Lila: Hey. You must be Luka right? I’m Lila.

Luka looks up briefly before flicking his eyes back down. “Hello, Lila.”

Lila beamed and took that as an invitation to continue. “You’re a serious Musician, aren’t you. Juleka told me all about you.”

Luka didn’t look interested in her conversation. Time to reel him in with some fabricated connections. “I actually know this music producer from Hollywood, and I gave him a copy of your band’s music. With any luck, we’ll hear from him soon. Fingers crossed!”

Lila expected Luka to at least show some gratitude, but he just kept strumming his guitar like he was trying to tune her out. Rude!

(Beneath Luka’s serene nonchalance, he refrained from wrinkling his nose and gagging. Lila’s inner melody sounded oily and off-tune. It made him long for Marinette’s vibrant and beautiful song.)

Lila gave one more try. “I can’t wait to hear you perform. Hey, do you think you could give me guitar lessons? I’ve never been taught anything beyond the triangle.” Lila gives a laugh, hoping for something.

Luka has by now completely zoned out. He had been tired of listening to Lila jabber jabber jabber. And the mention of producers reminded of his experience with Bob Roth...bad memories.

Lila stared at this stupid boy before turning around with a huff and stomping off. Before she left the room, she noticed that near Luka’s bed were a few photographs. One of his family. One of Kitty Section. And one with Marinette.

Lila gritted her teeth. First, Adrien, now Luka. What do these boys see in her? Here was a perfectly gorgeous Italian flirting with them, and they go after Asian girls with no social charisma.

As Lila stewed on her thoughts, it suddenly struck her. If Luka was on team Marinette, he’ll believe Marinette over Lila. Luka holds sway with Kitty Section, and having no real reason to dislike Lila since he is very reasonable and not to be swayed just by Marinette’s opinion, he might actually sow a seed of doubt in them.

Like hell Lila would let that happen.

Putting on some sniffles, Lila walked back to the band.

Rose: What’s wrong, Lila? Did you hurt yourself?

Lila shook her head. “I just saw this boy downstairs. I tried to be friendly, but for some reason, he just brushed me off.”

Juleka frowned. “That’s my Brother Luka. He gets absorbed in his music sometimes, to the point where everything else is white noise. Don’t take it personally Lila. My Brother is a really nice guy.”

Lila nodded sadly, inwardly frustrated. White noise? Time to change tactics. “Why is he in the band again?”

At everyone’s surprised looks, Lila quickly explained. “I’m just surprised. Luka’s in a different grade, don’t your schedules clash?”

Ivan: Yeah, but we make it work.

Lila: Is he in charge?

Rose: Actually Marinette organizes our schedules, she’s really good at that. She knows everyone’s schedules ahead of time anyway.

Lila saved that bit of alarming information for later. “But don’t you think it’s weird that he’s the only one from a different grade?”

The band are getting tired of her criticism on Luka. “It’s not weird. Luka’s the soul of our band. He understands music the best.”

A bass voice interjects, “I am more curious about why you’re singling me out the way you are, Lie-la.”

Lila turns around, wide eyed. She hadn’t even hear him arrive.

“What? I’m not!”

Everyone’s eyebrows are raised skeptically.

Lila flushed. “Ok, so maybe I am. But you were really rude ignoring me the way you just did. I did something nice for you and you didn’t even say thank you. You barely even said a word.”

The others were wide eyed, this was the first time they were hearing Lila sound angry.

Luka just strummed his guitar, looking more interested in the notes coming off it than the upset girl in front of him.

It made Lila see red. As the music continued to pour forth, everything else faded away and Lila just focused on Luka. It was like he was a snake flute player, only Lila was the snake.

Luka: And that gives you the right to criticise me?

Lila: Of course, it does! It’s called payback.

Luka: that’s a pretty harsh payback for not talking to you. The way you were talking about me, it was like you were trying to convince the band that they would be better off without me.

Lila: It’s what you deserve.

Juleka: Lila!

Shocked, Lila snaps out of her confrontation with Luka. Crap, the music got into her head and she forgot she had an audience, one of whom held a camera with a blinking red light.

Needless to say, Lila was asked to leave, despite her begging and dry tears.

As the band rehearsed, Alya finally did her research.

Jagged Stone’s pet kitten- false.

Prince Ali’s Friend- false as proven by Rose with a single text

Lila’s disabilities- false due to the fake kitten

That night, Alya posted an apology to her viewers for not checking her sources beforehand. In this apology video, she posts Lila’s true colours as the cause for her suspicions, followed by screenshots of proofs disproving Lila’s claims.

Alya’s viewers forgive the novice reporter and instead criticise Lila.

Notably, one of the subscribers to the Ladyblog is Owlman (the man loves anything hero-related), and he decides to check on Lila’s health records and gives a call to Mrs Rossi.

A lot more truths come out (including Marinette’s expulsion) and Lila is expelled.

Lila tries to get Adrien or Gabriel to back her up but why would they? Lila has been nothing but horrible to Adrien’s friends and she is no longer useful to Gabriel.

Good news for Luka: Marinette is impressed by the way he handled Lila.

[anxiety-trademark]

The week in review:

Raw 08/24 NXT 08/26 Smackdown 08/28 Payback 08/30

Raw:

Sarah Schreiber is rude af confirmed.

Nia is funny, idc.

Shayna Baszler is rude af confirmed.

“Addams family reject” kekekek bYE

If Sasha had magical abilities, Bayley would’ve burst into flames upon making her entrance into the arena, and by the look on Bayley’s face, she fucking knows it too.

This entire entrance is insanely tense. Sasha is the epitome of “going through the motions”

Hi why are they having a rematch and why is it a lumberjack match? I’ll be patient, I’ll be patient.

I already love the dynamic between Shayna and Nia.

Bayley telling Shayna to regrab her wrist. Peeped that.

Oh my GOD I prayed to the fucking tides I’d never see Bayley’s “around the world” bs move again, plz. PLZ. Ultimate troll. Negative 15 points for annoying me; plus 15 points for actually annoying me.

Bayley and Shayna still have great chemistry. We are not surprised.

Damn Shayna flipping Nia over. POINTS.

I really like Nia’s hair btw.

Shayna still rude af confirmed.

Love. This. All of this.

Bianca has a lot going for her, I just wish she didn’t telegraph her moves so much. She’s a work in progress. I’m sure in 2 years with some practice, she’ll be a top woman. Shame there’s no live events, she’s one that would really benefit from them.

I like how Lana and Natalya always match. Cute points.

“We tried to elevate [Mickie] we tried to make her relevant on TikTok,” pppffffttttttttt

kekekek black screen. Let’s see if they actually continue to use Mickie. [X] to doubt.

So the point of the lumberjack match is to keep Bayley out. That’s fair. Could’ve just banned her from ringside, but alright.

Wow some awful fucking lumberjacks. Fuse a damn spine guys.

Lol Sasha took out the Riott Squad. Honestly, fair, there’s a DEEP history there.

Lana is a great comical character. She has a niche.

Nice bounce on that Frog Splash. Still doesn’t get it straight enough.

Well I guess I’ll never know what the fuck Shayna was going for there, but alright. Sasha loses, as Sasha does (again I’m kidding I know how this ends). Anyway.

Highlight: Nia & Shayna being Nia & Shayna together

---

NXT:

*Candice discusses her history with Tegan* No.

I like the ongoing gag of Shotzi running Robert over with her tank. Points.

Lots of telegraphing of moves, but Mia and Shotzi work together nicely, all things considered.

Gorgeous suplex

I don’t understand why you’d have Shotzi lose to Indi those few weeks back if you’re gonna give her this big win over Gatekeeper Mia. I understand Mia’s trajectory, just not sure why Shotzi was fed to fucking Indi lmao. Good for Shotzi though. A perfectly serviceable match.

“It’s gonna be a piece of cake because we are actually a team. They are not. They don’t even get along.” Hi Dakota, bitter rivals Becky and Charlotte - who defeated Baysha at Madison Square Garden - just called. They said that don’t mean shit.

Raquel needs to work on her conviction and acting, me thinks.

Peep that Raquel’s focus was on Rhea during the entrance pose, moreso than on Dakota. If I had to guess, I’d say that’s relevant to the future of this R&R feud.

Dakota wins cute points for trying to make herself seem bigger next to Raquel. Also just realized their gear matches. More points.

Lol Rhea just tells Io to get out.

A stalemate after a lockup is certainly a choice.

I can almost respect Raquel’s struggle to be taken down by a Hurricanrana because of her size, but it still looked sloppy *shrug*

Io looks so much better than she did at Takeover.

Really. Tired. Of interferences.

Booking wise I get why they had Rhea take the pin instead of Io, right... Don’t want your face champ to eat a pin in a throwaway match unless it advances something, and Raquel beating Rhea advances their own story. I get it. All I’m saying is in kf, Rhea looks like an idiot. Why save Io and tag herself in when she can barely see straight. She doesn’t even put up a decent effort, just immediately gets pinned lmao. It’s fine, I’m nitpicking.

Fine match, though didn’t quite feel main event caliber. Even though the top 3 women in nxt were in it, it felt hollow stakes-wise.

Highlight: Shotzi running Robert over with her tank

---

Smackdown:

Bayley on a mission to unintentionally obliterate every ounce of confidence Sasha Banks possesses. Sad.

Sasha is obviously done with her shit, yet sticks around cuz this absolute douche is still her best friend. The true loyal one.

“Sasha only carrying the tag team championship,” this is why they bully you, Michael Cole.

The doubt written all over Sasha’s face is a solid touch.

Bayley “what is self awareness” Dos Straps, everyone.

“I should’ve known your history and how you can never successfully defend a raw title,” Y I K E S. Sasha fucking rekt by her own best friend.

She immediately tries to make a pun lmaooo what a tool.

Bayley’s progression in acting over the past year is astonishing.

“Lucky for you, you’re still my best friend.” oop.

“I will get my vengeance,” Bayley just combusted into flames again (in Sasha’s head)

Let me start this off by saying Tamina played her supporting role here perfectly.

Love how the first reactionary change Fiend caused to Alexa was her putting in pigtails -  a hairstyle she hasn’t worn since what, early 2017 on Smackdown??

The way Alexa looked off in a daze after Nikki said her hair reminded her of the Fiend is fucking ace.

The way she snaps out of it is fucking ace.

The way she starts going off on a tangent before smashing the mug is fucking ace.

I’m not claiming Alexa as the greatest actress on the roster, but this particular character contains the perfect layers for Alexa to play, and nobody could play it better. That’s where I’m at with this story.

Points to Nikki as well. Great segment. Couldn’t have been done any better tbh.

Highlight: Alexa slowly drifting into a sea of insanity

---

Payback:

I cannot give enough praise to the attempt to iron out the kinks in the Riott Squad. So impressed that they didn’t just randomly stick them back together and shrug about it.

Nice setup to a Shades of Kay, beautiful.

iiconics are the professional shit stirrers. Perfect team to tell this story with the Riott Squad.

Nice save Liv, nice save. Points for timing.

Double knees into Riott Kick is their finisher, huh? Love it. Good match, points to everyone for showing out on the kickoff.

Love the “Liv 2 Riott” as well. Solid fan of this team, hopefully the tag titles are in their future. Now don’t split them again.

Nia tossing Sasha into Bayley to break up the pinfall is great.

Sasha “ragdoll” Banks, everyone. Took those bumps well... but we’re not surprised.

Sloppy Samoan Drop, but I appreciate Nia using Sasha as a weapon... again lmao.

I’m certain Shayna will never be a flashy wrestler, but I can respect her increase in speed lately.

Fantastic double team by Baysha; Sasha hitting Nia with the Frog Splash as Bayley hits Shayna with a Bayley to Belly. Good showcase of their shock at the kickout as well. A moment of, “wtf do we need to do to win???”

Love the double submission, LOVE using Sasha to tapout Bayley. Sasha “I’m a weapon” Banks, everyone.

Pretty cool that in one year, Shayna has developed a history with all 4hw. Love seeing wwe build her back up after her feud with Becky.

I’ll say it again: Nia is hilarious, idc.

Highlight: Nia celebrating her win

---

*Smackdown shined the brightest for me this week. Despite consisting of a mere 2 segments, they were both extremely powerful and provoked a lot of feelings, thoughts, and conversations.

[mryddinwilt]

stop reeling me in (and letting me go) - Part 8

I told you I was going to finish it... 

Summary: S3 canon divergence. No time portal and Emma and Henry went back to New York. Hook ferries Henry to Storybrooke every other weekend so he can be with Regina. Mutual pining ensues.

Formerly called CS+Mutual Pining and written as answers to asks. I figured since it was at 6k I should give it a name and post it on an archive.

AO3 | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7| Rated T | 1.3k

----------------------------------------------------

Because the cloaking spell was still in place over Storybrooke the town did not appear slowly on the horizon. Instead it popped into view as they sailed through the spell. There was a slight shudder and Emma’s heart picked up speed. Warmth spread through her as she looked out at the town. She was surprised to realize she had missed it. 

The clocktower was easy to pick out from this distance and Emma used it to orient herself, there was her old apartment, the police station, Henry’s school, Granny’s, all the places that had become so familiar. She stopped short of calling them home because, she reminded herself, New York was home.

The last time she had seen the town from the water was when they returned from Neverland. Emma had been flush with victory and the warmth of feeling like she was coming home with her family. She wondered how she had lost that feeling. Was it the lifetime of memories Regina had put in her mind that told her she had lived in New York City for all of Henry’s life? Was it that without her magic she was no longer the Savior and so couldn’t belong to the magical town? Was it not wanting to confront her real life and all the abandonment and heartache it brought with it? They were questions she didn’t have answers too and so she ignored them, like she always did. 

As the boat slowed into the harbor Emma sent off a quick text to Regina. Then she turned wondering if Hook wanted help docking. She knew that The Jolly Roger was enchanted and with Hook’s commands could practically sail itself. But she also knew that Hook had told Henry he liked being able to do the work with his hands when there were others about. Hook didn’t even look at her as he stood at the wheel, eyes flicking between the water and the sails, his lips forming words she couldn’t hear. 

Emma watched him. The wind whipped his hair, fluttering his half-opened shirt and brightening his cheeks. Instead of the usual smirk, his forehead was drawn in concentration, lips downturned. He was still upset but even angry he was attractive. Hook had a bad habit of  always looking attractive. She blushed thinking at how turned on she had been after their shouting match only an hour before. As she looked at his scowl she found her own anger had drained away, leaving only embarrassment tinged with sadness. 

Emma thought it was good Hook was mad at her, that she had pushed him away with her thoughtless prying. It meant no more intense interactions. It meant she was free to do her investigation of Zelena without him along. Emma told herself that is what she wanted. Even though in the last two months she had found herself thinking all too often of the time they had spent investigating in Storybrooke, right now she really didn’t want a repeat of conversations so personal they would leave her raw and exposed. That was another bad habit Hook had. Carefully she pushed her questions and feelings deep down and tried to focus on her anger and frustration at Zelena. She had a job to do. 

Emma waited until they were almost at the dock before she moved toward the middle of the ship. Hook was waiting for her there. She stopped just in front of him and pulled her leather jacket tight as she marshalled her frustration around her like armor.

“What?” 

His lips ticked up, as if he found her sharp tone endearing, but then they fell. He scratched behind his ear. “Emma I-” 

His eyes met hers and there was too much raw emotion for her to process. Shouldn’t he hate her for snooping and yelling? But there wasn’t hate or anger in his eyes and that alone was scary.  How could she have thought he didn't want her? He had been hurt and wanted more than some fun but he still wanted her. In some ways that was worse than rejection. He stepped closer and she had to consciously tell herself not to step back.

 His hand went around her wrist and pulled it toward him. He moved slowly as if expecting Emma to snatch it back like she had at the top of the beanstalk. She didn’t pull away but remained rigid and frowning. She was unsure what to do as warmth shot up her arm and her heart jumped around in her chest. He smiled at her and Emma forgot to breath. 

Killian slipped his hook around her wrist, holding it there while he pulled out a pen and began to write on her hand. The tickling sensation snapped Emma out of her trance. 

“What are you doing?” She was thankful the words came out snappish and not breathy. This time Hook did smile at her rudeness but didn’t look up from her hand. “I am giving you my talking phone number.” 

“Talking phone? You mean a cell?” 

“Now that is such an impractical name. Why call it a cell? It doesn’t describe its function in the slightest,” he said as he finished writing. 

“That’s just what it’s called. I don’t know--”

 Hook lifted her hand and began to blow on the wet ink and Emma lost all train of thought as her entire consciousness narrowed to the feel of his breath on her palm. Long moments passed before she came back to her senses.She snatched her hand away. 

Hook chuckled and cocked an eyebrow at her. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing to her. A bad habit or payback? She forced herself to focus on the conversation.

“You have a cell phone?” she asked. 

“Indeed. Regina thought it a necessity to keep in contact.” 

“Regina? Regina bought you a phone?” 

“Of course I didn’t buy it for him.” Emma and Hook both jumped at Regina’s voice. They turned to stare as she stepped on to the ship. Emma hadn’t even noticed they had come to a complete stop. 

“Bloody hell woman, don’t sneak up on a pirate like that.” Hook’s rebuke held no bite. 

Regina rolled her eyes. “Please, when you too are making doey eyes at each other a flying monkey could land on the ship screaming and you wouldn’t notice.” 

“I wasn’t-- We weren’t--” Emma shut her mouth and scowled as she took another step away from Hook. 

“Of course you weren’t.” Regina pursed her lips and Emma swore she was holding back a smile. “Now if you are done with whatever you weren’t doing can we get going? I have a council meeting in an hour.” 

“Right of course.” Emma cast a quick glance at Hook. “Let’s go.” 

Regina gave a nod. “Captain, when you have some time I would appreciate a report.” 

“Aye, Your Majesty. I will make time today.” He gave a little bow and Regina gave him a genuine smile. Emma looked between them trying to keep the shock from her face. Since when were they friends? And what report? And had Regina just asked nicely? 

 Regina walked down to the dock and Emma went to follow her. 

“Emma,” Hook said. She stopped but didn’t quite meet his eyes. “If you have need of me, for anything.” He gestured to her hand. “Please do not hesitate to call.” 

Emma looked down at the number and swallowed. Part of her wanted to ask him to come with her and Regina. But she knew she needed to keep him at arm's length. Him and his bad habits were far more dangerous than anything Zelena might have in store.

“Thanks, Hook. But I got this.”  

She walked down the gangplank not daring to look back at him.

[romancemedia]

Manstead is OVER!!!

Since last night’s episode, I have been so happy that I still have a huge smile on my face. I haven’t been this happy in so long and while I love romance I know when some love stories need to come to an end, even if they don’t always end on a happy note. During the mid-season finale of Chicago Med’s fifth season, Natalie finally regained her memories of the night of the car accident that occurred during the season 4 finale earlier this year. Natalie finally remembered what she was planning to tell Will after FBI Agent Lee came to speak with her. However, by the time Natalie finally remembered and realized her truth feelings it was too late. Will is happy, he has moved on and is finally over Natalie and I gotta say... it’s About Damn Time.

In a recap of last night’s finale, Natalie was tending to her patient, baby Sophie, the daughter of her "ex-fiancé", Phillip and while Natalie was looking out for Sophie, she got to learn more gruesome and awful facts about Phillip from his sister and her husband. Natalie discovered he is a pathological liar, abandoned Sophie since Natalie wanted nothing to do with him and worse, he signed a DNR on Sophie. However, as Natalie continued to learn the truth about Phillip and the real god awful person he was hiding from her this whole time, Natalie at last began to regain her memories of the night of the fatal car accident that caused her amnesia and finally she remembered EVERYTHING. At Long Last, Natalie Manning has FINALLY come to realize just how truly awful, mean, rude, and downright completely unfair she has been to Will THIS ENTIRE TIME.

Natalie felt so guilty and met with Will by the end of the episode, apologizing for how she has treated him and declared that she loves him. However, instead of getting the response she was hoping for, Will REJECTED Natalie and told her, he is happier without her in his life. He told Natalie straight up they simply aren’t right for each other and that he feels free since she told him to stay out of her life. In the end, Will got the last word and walked away, leaving Natalie alone and crying as she came to realize she not only ruined their relationship, but has quite possibly, forever lost the man she loves. Although I may sound harsh, but personally Natalie Deserved Everything She Got. Originally, in the beginning I use to ship Will and Natalie together, but the more I watched the show, the more I began to dislike Natalie over how she has treated Will, from the rejections, the constant rudeness, just everything. I know Will is not perfect and he has made his fair share of mistakes, but I know for a fact that despite his flaws, Will has always tried to do the right thing even if it backfires on him and that his love for Natalie has always been true, pure and unconditional. Will has constantly given his heart to Natalie, but everytime he has had to face heartbreak over and over again from her and it’s simply not right.

For a long time, I have grown tired and fed of Natalie’s unfair treatment towards Will and he sure as hell doesn’t deserve this. In the end, I have been waiting for the time to come when Will finally gets to turn Natalie down and it FINALLY happened. When Will rejected Natalie I have truly never been so happy or so proud of Will. He has ALWAYS been on the receiving end of being constantly rejected by Natalie and I am SO HAPPY that Natalie is FINALLY getting a taste of her own medicine. This was so satisfying to watch as Natalie has gone from being the rejecter to the reject-tee. Honestly, Natalie had this coming for a long, long time and she deserved everything she got. Finally, Natalie has been knocked down a peg and again I say, She Deserved Everything She Got and It’s About Damn Time. Just goes to show that payback’s a bitch. I hope this gives Natalie a real reality check and if she has any chance to reconcile with Will then she will have to make it up to him BIG TIME. However, I honestly don’t want them back together as I am happy for Will and what his life is like right now. He doesn’t need or deserve anymore crap from Natalie.

In the end all I can continue to say is Natalie got what she deserved and I am so proud and happy for Will. I am going to continue to revel in this victory for Will. He deserves to be with someone who treats him right and someone who will make his life filled with joy and true happiness.

[nozomijoestar]

The whole time the Illuso fight was happening Trish was with the three who didn’t go- there’s no way she didn’t talk to Anyone for 3+ hours waiting; this takes place during that time and when Narancia is still wounded after Formaggio!

Any echo of her footsteps was largely muffled against rugs. Whoever had the mind to decorate long before her received her thanks. She held her breath for added effect; better to let the blood rush to her brain than be discovered. She'd let the fresh air restore her; the smell of grapevines and sun filtering might even let her rest.

That'd be well deserved. 'Stay away from the windows. Another of the traitors could appear!' they'd said. Oh sure sure, she saw the logic in that. That didn't mean one peek at fresh air would put a gun to her head. Besides, they'd been made her 'Handlers' (how she hated that phrasing) only an afternoon. She had yet to owe them any real favors.

Trish Una was no pushover but a modern girl!

At last she reached a door. The dim  hallway forced her hands to fumble. The doorknob remained attached. She gave it a turn; it was open. 'We'll see who's right when I can be bored in peace.' She thought.

The room was neither bare nor bursting; an inconspicuous middle ground. If she closed her eyes and absorbed the sounds and smells, it could be her mother's. Or any other room in all of Italy's backroads. A pang struck her chest. Her mother would've loved to give where she stood life. Trish grit her teeth and sighed deeply. Pushed the dark pool those thoughts would drag her into aside. It would be better if it remained generic.

From just beyond against a wall a human shape stirred. Her heart thud with enough force to reach her throat. Her eyes darted around, left right, behind. Nothing. It could only be forwards. She pressed against the wall closest to the door. If she'd paid enough attention two were downstairs. The ones who called themselves Bucciarati and Mista with yin-yang attitudes.

She strained her ears. They'd not moved from the staircase landing. Mista was spinning his revolver absentmindedly; from somewhere not too distant (likely the main entrance by his cautious bearing) Bucciarati must be standing.

There were three who'd left. Three who'd remained. A boyish face beneath dark messy hair. Yes, that was the last one. A boy older than her yet smaller than the rest. She peered at the spot of the shape. It was him staring back at her. He lay on an old couch in the corner; an afterthought.

Bandages concealed his biceps, his shoulder. He laid stiff soldiering the pain. She vaguely remembered hearing his whimpers from outside; he himself having limped back to the front steps. It'd been a mere second peeping from the window then, but she'd shivered. Blood had painted his skin a red she'd never seen; the wounds were no paper cuts.

She knew herself. Her mind would've allowed the memory to waste in a repressed pocket. If he weren't before her now. Yet he was, and he was curious. His name escaped her then.

"You hidin or somethin'?" He asked.

"Not hiding, getting some air. You're the one who looks like he's hiding."

"Hey Mista's my friend and I'd do anything Bucciarati says- but laying down there all beat up? Might drive me crazy. Mista can't shut up sometimes. Even Bucciarati knows that."

She made an annoyed sound. This boy had attempted slicing her with his knife seconds upon meeting. He hadn't known just whom she was; yet still he, annoyed? That had to be some payback from the universe. Trish moved closer with a relaxed stride. Far more in control. She sat and crossed a leg on a chair.

"What's your name again anyway? And why'd you come back empty handed?"

The shadows cast over his face deepened his irritation into anger. Harsh lines and harsher angles warned her; she'd tread close to a rattlesnake. His dark eyes highlighted the two small bandages on his face. They appeared to glow with a light all their own. Trish recoiled in her seat a few centimeters. Never had she seen someone at once piercing yet restrained. On their journey to the vineyard he'd laughed and argued the loudest.

"Narancia Ghirga. And you're Trish something or other."

"Trish Una." To say her mother's surname turned her stomach. The shape of the syllables etched into all she was. The last heir to that name.

"Oh that's what it was. Didn't they tell you how I got busted up?"

"No one tells me anything clearly anymore..."

They went silent and looked away to opposite ends. Narancia sucked his teeth then clutched his shoulder. She watched him wince, curse under his breath. His face still hovered between pale and not. The image of his blood splattered at his feet chilled her. He attempted to sit facing her head on. Her legs stood as if possessed of their own mind.

She helped him asking nothing; focused on which spots caused pain, distanced her touch from them. A great sigh from him announced the end. Trish eyed the spot beside him. How small he seemed, how paradoxical that he'd survived. She sat next to him.

Narancia spoke blunt with an ease that told her what sort of man he was.

"I'm not allowed to get into details. Not unless Bucciarati wants it. Sorry...I did get your stuff though. It's just this bastard who's part of the guys hunting you- he caught me out of nowhere. So in kicking his ass I kinda...ended up burning everything."

Narancia hung his head and curled inward. 'What a little boy.' Trish thought. 'And yet...'

He mustered the strength to look at her. Now he pouted, all anger evaporated. The mess he called bangs made her want to brush them aside. The demure air draped over him made her want to tell him it'd be alright. His bandages stood out uncomfortably close. She listened.

"So yeah that's how I messed up. I dunno if we'll ever get to buy more. But next time I'll definitely bring everything back."

"No...I'm the one who should apologize. You got hurt because of me and- even if I didn't know the story, I was mean."

For the first time she learned he could smile softly. 'It's really cute...'

"Nobody knew he'd show up. You were kinda pushy though."

He chuckled with a lighthearted melody. She felt blood rush to her face. Blushing, now she was blushing! Did he do it all intentionally? No, he seemed a 'Go with the flow.' guy. That seemed far worse.

She 'Hmph'd and turned her head. For herself alone she smiled. Pieces of it trickled into her tone.

"You know you're not so bad. It's nice to see a guy who tries hard."

Trish heard a faint gasp that fizzled out as quick as it'd come. Narancia rubbed his head unsure how to continue.

"...Thanks. I don't hear that a lot."

"Really? That's strange."  

"You think so?"

"You should ask them to praise you more. Otherwise that's so unfair, doing all that work with no thank you."

Her eyes fell toward his bandages. It'd been instinctive, a human thing in morbid fascination. The longer she stared the greater her stomach turned again. 'Sometimes it's rude to stare Trish.' Her mother's axioms rang long after her voice ceased. Sometimes the human mind knew only cruelty.

She looked down instead. They'd subconsciously moved far closer than she liked. He hadn't appeared to notice. He stared into space on some other wall; the profile of his face had gone contemplative. It was strange. A warm calm chased back her skeletons in silence.

Slowly she touched his hand and grinned when he looked surprised.

"We have however long it takes Giorno and the others to come back. I mean, Pompeii is three hours away y'know?"

"Yer not gonna fall asleep like a pampered rich girl if I talk? Promise." He spoke cautiously, his eyes sizing, judging. Ready to protect himself as if rejection were certain.

Trish made herself fully comfortable; turned all of herself toward him. His eyes followed her with his mouth in a small 'O'. He searched her face again. At last he relaxed; a pleasant thump in her chest caught her off guard.

"No. We can talk about whatever. Doesn't really matter to me, as long as I'm not bored."

"...For real? Then y'know the other day-"

It was Mista who found them hours later (disgruntled for the runaround in looking and stern complaints- 'Honestly how hard is it to listen?!'). It was a quiet observation, a rare time he kept it within. He didn't know two people could laugh so happily.